CEN/TC 158 - Head protection

This document specifies a test method for helmets that measures the translational and rotational kinematics in impacts of a helmeted headform against an anvil.

This document specifies requirements and test methods for helmets worn by users of speed electrically power assisted bicycles (S-EPACs). This document also specifies requirements and test methods for integrated visors in helmets worn by users of S-EPACS.
Requirements and the corresponding methods of test are given for the following:
-   construction, including field of vision;
-   shock absorbing properties;
-   retention system properties, including chin strap and fastening devices;
-   marking and information.

This document specifies requirements for protective helmets that can have a peak, for people involved in all equestrian activities including but not limited to riding, driving, or handling and caring for horses.
It gives safety requirements that include methods of test and levels. Requirements and the corresponding methods of test are given for the following:
a)   construction, including field of vision;
b)   shock absorbing properties;
c)   resistance to penetration;
d)   mechanical strength in lateral deformation;
e)   retention system properties;
f)   deflection of peak (if fitted);
g)   marking and information;
h)   use of headforms in accordance with EN 960:2006.

ISO 10256-4:2016 covers performance requirements for head and face protectors to be used by ice hockey goalkeepers. It is intended to be read in conjunction with ISO 10256‑1, ISO 10256‑2 and ISO 10256‑3.
Performance requirements are established, where appropriate for the following:
a)    materials, assembly, and design;
b)    protected areas (coverage) and penetration resistance;
c)    shock absorption;
d)    puck impact resistance;
e)    retention;
f)     optical quality.
NOTE 1       The requirements of a clause take precedent over a figure.
NOTE 2       The intent of this part of ISO 10256 is to reduce the risk of injury to the head and face of ice hockey goalkeepers without compromising the form and appeal of the game.

ISO 10256-3:2016 specifies performance requirements and test methods for face protectors (including visors) for use in ice hockey and is intended to be used in conjunction with ISO 10256‑1.
Requirements and the corresponding test methods, where appropriate, are given for the following:
a)    construction and area of coverage;
b)    resistance to puck impact;
c)    penetration;
d)    field of vision;
e)    geometric (visual) optics and acuity;
f)     transmittance and haze;
g)    marking and information.
ISO 10256-3:2016 applies to face protectors worn by
-      players other than goalkeepers, and
-      certain functionaries (e.g. referees).
NOTE 1       The requirements of a Clause take precedent over a figure.
NOTE 2       The intent is to reduce the risk of injury to the face without compromising the form or appeal of the game.

ISO 10256-2:2016 specifies performance requirements and test methods for head protectors for use in ice hockey and is intended to be read in conjunction with ISO 10256‑1.
Requirements and the corresponding test methods, where appropriate, are given for the following:
a)    construction and protected area;
b)    shock absorption;
c)    penetration;
d)    retention system properties;
e)    field of vision;
f)     marking and information.
ISO 10256-2:2016 applies to head protectors worn by
-      players other than goalkeepers, and
-      certain functionaries (e.g. referees).
NOTE 1       The requirements of a Clause take precedent over a figure.
NOTE 2       The intent of this part of ISO 10256 is to reduce the risk of injury to the head without compromising the form or appeal of the game.

ISO 10256-1:2016 is part of ISO 10256 specifies general requirements for head, face, neck and body protectors (hereafter referred to as protectors) for use in ice hockey.
ISO 10256-1:2016 is intended only for protectors used for ice hockey. Requirements are given for the following:
a)    terms and definitions;
b)    innocuousness;
c)    ergonomics;
d)    test report;
e)    permanent markings;
f)     information for users.
In the ISO 10256 series, collateral standards specify performance requirements for protectors for use in ice hockey and are intended to be read in conjunction with ISO 10256-1:2016.
NOTE 1       The requirements of a clause take precedence over a figure.
NOTE 2       The intent is to reduce the risk of injury to an ice hockey player without compromising the form or appeal of the game. These standards presume that the rules of play for ice hockey will be followed by players and enforced by officials.

This European Standard specifies the minimum requirements for technical rescue helmets. These helmets are intended to protect the upper head mainly against the effects of mechanical hazards such as impact and penetration, flame, electrical and chemical hazards whilst conducting technical rescue and associated activities.
Technical rescues involves work associated with the environments and conditions associated with operational scenarios such as but not limited to those found during road traffic collisions and when working in and around collapsed structures often for extended periods of time after natural disasters (flood, earthquake, etc.)
Requirements for marking and information to be supplied by the manufacturer are included.
Helmets for use whilst firefighting in buildings and other structures or in wildland firefighting environments, are not covered by this European Standard, see EN 443 and EN 16471.
Helmets for use in water rescue operations using craft are also not covered by this European Standard.
Protection of the face, eyes, ears and neck may require additional items of PPE, which are not covered by this European Standard.

This European Standard specifies the minimum requirements for wildland fire fighting helmets protecting the upper head mainly against the effects of impact, penetration, heat, flame and burning embers whilst conducting fire fighting and associated activities in wildland environments. Requirements for marking and information to be supplied by the manufacturer are included. Wildland fire fighting involves direct and indirect attack techniques (like wood cutting). This helmet is not intended to provide protection during fire entrapment.
Wildland environments include forests, crops, plantations and grass/heath/scrub or farmland.
Helmets for use whilst fire fighting in buildings and other structures are not covered by this European Standard (see EN 443).
Protection of the face, eyes, ears and neck may require additional items of PPE, which are not covered by this European Standard.

This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for helmets intended for use by young children while pursuing recreational activities in environments which have proven risks of head injuries in combination with risk of strangulation.
Requirements and the corresponding methods of test are given for the following:
-   construction including field of vision;
-   shock absorbing properties;
-   retention system properties, including chin strap, fastening devices and self-release system;
-   marking and information.

This European Standard specifies physical and performance requirements, methods of test and marking requirements for industrial safety helmets. The mandatory requirements apply to helmets for general use in industry. Additional optional performance requirements are included to apply only where specifically claimed by the helmet manufacturer. Industrial safety helmets are intended primarily to provide protection to the wearer against falling objects and consequential brain injury and skull fracture.

This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for protective helmets used in paragliding, hang gliding and flying with ultra-light aeroplanes.
Helmets for airborne sports are indicated in this European Standard as follows:
-   category HPG: Helmets for paragliding and hang gliding;
-   category UL: Helmets for flying with ultra-light aeroplanes.
Requirements and the corresponding methods of test, where appropriate, are given for the following:
-   construction including chin strap, fastening devices, field of vision, head mobility and eye protection;
-   penetration resistance;
-   shock-absorbing properties;
-   retention system properties;
-   marking and information for users.
NOTE   The requirements cover both categories. Special requirements are contained in the relevant clauses.
This European Standard does not apply to other kinds of head protection used in airborne sports.

This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for helmets worn by users of pedal cycles, skateboards and roller skates.
Requirements and the corresponding methods of test are given for the following:
-   construction, including field of vision;
-   shock absorbing properties;
-   retention system properties, including chin strap and fastening devices;
-   marking and information.

This European Standard specifies physical, performance, test and marking requirements for high performance industrial helmets.
High performance industrial helmets, as specified in this European Standard, are intended to provide to the wearer protection against falling objects and off crown impacts and the consequential brain injury, skull fracture and neck injury.
This European Standard includes mandatory requirements that apply to all high performance industrial helmets and additional, optional, performance requirements that apply only where specifically claimed by the helmet manufacturer.

This European Standard specifies the minimum performance requirements and test methods for helmets for users of luges in competition in ice channels.
Requirements and the corresponding methods of test, where appropriate, are given for the following:
-   construction including field of vision;
-   shock absorbing properties;
-   resistance to penetration;
-   retention system properties;
-   marking and information.

This European Standard specifies requirements for helmets for canoeing and white water sports for use in waters of classes 1 to 4 as classified by Clause 4. The levels of protection recognise that most fatalities in canoeing and white water sports result from drowning after concussion and not from brain damage.
This European Standard is not intended to apply to helmets for use in extreme white water situations such as those where the jumping of high waterfalls is undertaken, because the need for impact absorption for such a helmet, and the area of the head to be protected, are greater than those for most canoeing and white water sports. The standard applies to helmets with and without holes in the shell.
NOTE   This European Standard does not provide performance requirements for visors, chin-guards or face-guards.

This European Standard specifies methods of test for protective helmets. The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the helmet as specified in the appropriate helmet standard.
This European Standard specifies the method of test for resistance to radiant heat.

This European Standard specifies test methods for protective helmets. The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the helmet as specified in the appropriate helmet standard.
This European Standard specifies the test method for field of vision.

The European Standard specifies methods of test for protective helmets. The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the helmet as specified in the appropriate helmet standard.
This European Standard specifies the method for determination of shock absorption.

This European Standard specifies methods of test for protective helmets. The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the helmet as specified in the appropriate helmet standard.
This European Standard specifies the method of test for retention system effectiveness.

This European Standard specifies methods of test for protective helmets. The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the helmet as specified in the appropriate helmet standard.
This European Standard specifies the method of test for retention system strength.

This European Standard specifies safety requirements and test methods for safety helmets for use in mountaineering.

This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for protective helmets for drivers and passengers of snowmobiles and bobsleighs.
Additional requirements for eye protectors and face shields are specified in EN 13178.

This European Standard specifies physical and performance requirements, methods of test and marking requirements for industrial bump caps.
Industrial bump caps are intended to provide protection to the wearer against the effects of striking his head against hard, stationary objects with sufficient severity to cause laceration or other superficial injuries. They are not intended to provide protection against the effects of falling or thrown objects, or moving or suspended loads.
NOTE   An industrial bump cap should not be confused with an industrial safety helmet, as specified in EN 397.

Members of helmet Standards committees frequently need to define limits for test procedures. Such limits relate to test values that indicate the potential for injury and yet it is often difficult for members to know the type and severity of injury that is represented by a given test value. Over the years, criteria have been developed for different body regions and usually these have been derived from a combination of accident and casualty data, and tests on cadavers, cadaver body parts, animals and human volunteers. However, such criteria are often used by the automotive industry as pass/fail values without a clear understanding of human tolerance to injurious forces. This sometimes leads to the mistaken belief that any value below the stated limit implies uninjured and all values above imply a serious or fatal injury.
This misconception gives very little freedom to choose values that are different from the often-inappropriate automotive value. This is particularly true for head injury criteria for which values for a helmeted head may be different to those for the unhelmeted head. Many accidents to wearers of helmets, which cover a wide range of activities from horse riding to downhill skiing, result in a closed head injury. This is when the brain is damaged without any skull or external tissue damage. Conversely, head injuries in automotive accidents are much more frequently open head injuries with skull fracture and soft tissue lesions.
Other misconceptions arise because of the failure to understand that human response to a given dose or injurious parameter varies across a range of the population. The dose response curve tends to be "S" (sigmoid) shaped such that as the magnitude of the injurious parameter increases so does the percent of the population that sustains an injury of a given severity.

This document has been produced by the convenors of CEN/TC158 working groups. It is intended to serve as a guide, to be consulted when drafting new EN standards for head protection and when revising or amending existing ones.  
Whilst implementation of its contents is not mandatory, working groups are urged not to make deviations from this guidance document without good cause.
This is a living document - omissions will be covered in later issues.
In this document, reference is made FprCEN/TR 16148, Head and neck impact, burn and noise injury criteria. This gives further guidance about the areas of the head which helmet standards should aim to protect, and about head and neck injuries.
The working group should assess the foreseeable risks against which the helmet should provide protection. Each of the helmet standards should provide for a helmet, which will offer optimum protection to the head against these foreseeable risks and should satisfy the Basic Health and Safety Requirements of EU Directive 89/686/EEC to the extent indicated in annex ZA of the helmet standard.
Helmet standards should indicate, in an informative annex, how the level of performance requirements specified relates to the severity of injury to be tolerated. Working groups should refer to FprCEN/TR 16148 when drafting this annex.
Reference is also made to EN 13087, Protective helmets, Test methods. This standard provides harmonized methods of test for many of the topics listed below. The various parts of EN 13087 are listed in the Bibliography.

This European Standard specifies minimum requirements for firefighters' helmets protecting the upper head mainly against the effects of impact, penetration and heat and flame, whilst firefighting in buildings and other structures.

This European Standard is applicable to performance requirements and tests for two classes of helmets for alpine skiers, snowboarders and for similar groups, including children and participants in competitions. The standard comprises two different classes of protection, class A and class B.
Requirements and the corresponding methods of test, where appropriate, are given for the following:
-   construction including field of vision;
-   shock absorbing properties;
-   resistance to penetration;
-   retention system properties;
-   marking and information.

This European Standard specifies the dimensional and constructional details of headforms for use in the testing of protective helmets.

This European Standard describes methods of test for protective helmets. The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the helmet as specified in the appropriate helmet standard. This standard specifies the methods of test for electrical properties.  Additional text from CENELEC excluding reference to EN 50365:2002.

UAP of 4 months (TC Res C165/2000) (CC/01011)
2020-01-20: Originator of XML version: NEN (on behalf of NEN, ASI, DS, SFS, SIS, SN)

UAP of 4 months (TC Res C165/2000) (CC/01011)
2020-01-20: Originator of XML version: NEN (on behalf of NEN, ASI, DS, SFS, SIS, SN)

UAP of 4 months (TC Res C165/2000) (CC/01011)

This European Standard describes methods of test for protective helmets. The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the helmet as specified in the appropriate helmet standard. This standard specifies the methods of test for electrical properties.

This European Standard describes methods of test for protective helmets. The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the helmet as specified in the appropriate helmet standard. This Part specifies the methods of test for flame resistance.

The European Standard prEN 13087:1998 describes methods of test for protective helmets. The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the helmet as specified in the appropriate helmet standard. This Part of EN 13087 specifies the method of test for resistance to penetration.

The European Standard prEN 13087:1997 describes methods of test for protective helmets . The purpose of these tests is to enable assessment of the performance of the helmet as specified in the appropriate helmet standard. This part of prEN 13087:1997 specifies conditions and conditioning to be used when testing protective helmets.

This document specifies requirements and test methods for protective helmets for use in ski mountaineering.
This document is also applicable to protective helmets used in activities with similar hazards, but does not apply to protective helmets used specifically by alpine skiers and snowboarders.

This document specifies requirements and test methods for protective helmets for use in mountaineering.
This document is also applicable to protective helmets used in activities with similar hazards as in mountaineering including, but not limited to, climbing, caving, canyoning, rope courses, and via ferrata climbing.
This document does not apply to protective helmets used by ski mountaineers.

This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for helmets worn by users of cycles and other equipment for transport with similar hazards, for example skateboards, roller skates and kick scooters.
Requirements and the corresponding methods of test are given for the following:
- construction, including field of vision;
- shock absorbing properties;
- retention system properties, including chin strap and fastening devices;
- marking and information.
This standard is not applicable for helmets for young children to be used when there is a risk of strangulation.

This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for helmets intended for use by young children to provide head protection in situations with a risk of head injuries in combination with risk of strangulation.
The standard is applicable for but not limited to:
- children’s cycling
- children’s roller-sports activities (skateboarding, roller skating, kick scooter riding etc)
- children’s sledging activities (use of toboggan, sledge, snow tray etc)
when there is a risk of strangulation due to the child playing in connection to the intended activity.
Requirements and the corresponding methods of test are given for the following:
- construction including field of vision;
- shock absorbing properties;
- retention system properties, including chin strap, fastening devices and self-release system;
- marking and information.

This document specifies requirements for design, performance, test methods and markings for industrial protective helmets. The requirements apply to helmets for general use in industry.
Additional performance requirements for special applications are included to apply only when specifically claimed by the helmet manufacturer.
Industrial protective helmets are intended to reduce the risk of head injuries caused by impacts and therefore can reduce consequential effects.

This document specifies general requirements and test methods for head, face, eye, neck, and body protectors (hereafter referred to as protectors) for use in ice hockey.
This document is intended only for protectors used for ice hockey.

This document specifies performance requirements and test methods for eye and face protectors for use in ice hockey only.
This document is applicable to eye and face protectors worn by ice hockey players other than goalkeepers and by referees.

This document specifies performance requirements and test methods for head and face protectors for use by ice hockey goalkeepers only.

This document specifies performance requirements and test methods for head protectors for use in ice hockey.
This document is applicable to head protectors worn by ice hockey players excluding goalkeepers and by referees.

This European Standard specifies requirement for protective helmets that may or may not have a peak, for people involved in equestrian activities.
It gives safety requirements that include methods of test and levels of performance for shock absorption, for resistance to penetration and for the strength and effectiveness of the retention system and the deflection of a peak if fitted.

This European Standard specifies requirement for protective helmets that can have a peak, for people involved in equestrian activities.
It gives safety requirements that include methods of test and levels of performance for shock absorption, for resistance to penetration and for the strength and effectiveness of the retention system and the deflection of a peak if fitted.

ISO 10256:2003 specifies performance requirements and test methods for head and face protection for use in ice hockey.
Perfarmance requirements and test methods, where appropriate, are given for the following: construction; shock absorption; puck-impact resistance; penetration; retention-system properties; field of vision; marking and information.
The head and face protection is intended for use by players, goalkeepers and certain functionaries (e.g. referees).